Fitzmorris was born in New Orleans to James Edward Fitzmorris, Sr. (1894-1974), and the former Romolia Elizabeth Hanning (1896-1968). <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ancestry.com/search/?name=James+Edward_Fitzmorris&event=_new+orleans-orleans-louisiana-usa_34322&birth=1896|title=James E. Fitzmorris, Sr.|publisher=Ancestry.com|accessdate=August 19, 2019}}</ref>
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Fitzmorris was born in New Orleans, one of three children, of James Edward Fitzmorris, Sr. (1894-1974), and the former Romolia Elizabeth Hanning (1896-1968). He was predeceased by a sister, Florence Fitzmorris Simno and a brother, Norris Vernon Fitzmorris. He graduated from Jesuit High School in 1939 and then received a business degree from Loyola University New Orleans.<ref name=obit/>